Hybrid tax breaks

[rapuda]

I don't agree with the town of Wallingford giving tax breaks for hybrid vehicles. I believe that should be done on a national level, not at a town level. Our country has a strong dependence on oil and I agree with national tax breaks, but at the town level our taxes should be taking care of our town, not our national interests. Our mayor is a major penny pincher. He has allowed our police department to be the third smallest department in the area based on population, according to a Record-Journal article. Our fire departments have asked for equipment that has been turned down. Other departments have asked for things that have been turned down. Would it make sense to lose tax revenue for something that should be done on a national level? I say no.
It amazes me how tight budgets have become, how departments are expected to stretch the funds they get, and yet we're going to pass a feel good law that will bring in less revenue which will cause us to tighten our departmental budgets even more. I hope this proposal fails.

[eds]

I thought hybrid tax breaks were some kind of new tax rebate! HA! It's two kinds of tax breaks rolled into one. Sort of like we give it to you and then take it back later.

Anyway...

Wasn't it that same small police department that caught that major Chinese bomber dude! I would suppose that quality is better than quantity. But I see your point.

The "in thing" or the lastest "fad" is the hybrid and trying to appear "green". What they don't tell you is that it will take 5 years to get to a break even point. They are only good on local roads and most in CT use the highway to get to work. Hybrids don't do as well on the highway.

If anything, at the national level might make more sense. If we even do that.

[nsxer]

Tax breaks should be to encourage behaviours that would otherwise not happen. Examples include businesses to come to town to provide tax base and jobs rather than go somewhere else and tax breaks for Seniors to encourage them to stay in the community versus moving out to somewhere less expensive.

Last time I looked Hybrids were wildly popular with waiting lists to buy one, there is no reason to encourage more demand by giving tax breaks. Doing so just shifts tax burden to others who may have wanted to buy a hybrid but could not due to lack of availability.

[eds]

Tax breaks should be to encourage behaviours that would otherwise not happen. Examples include businesses to come to town to provide tax base and jobs rather than go somewhere else and tax breaks for Seniors to encourage them to stay in the community versus moving out to somewhere less expensive.

Last time I looked Hybrids were wildly popular with waiting lists to buy one, there is no reason to encourage more demand by giving tax breaks. Doing so just shifts tax burden to others who may have wanted to buy a hybrid but could not due to lack of availability.


Exactly. Or shift the tax burden to those who may not want to buy one at all, being perfectly content with their V8 powered Grand Cherokee...like me. :D

The hybrids I see, are pretty small, and underpowered. A company in California makes a diesel capable of over 400HP and runs on B100 (Pure biodiesel). And its big too with excellent gas mileage, something like 40 MPG. Why can't that be a production vehicle? I'd buy that in a minute. It was featured on a Discovery Channel program with Cal. Gov. Arnold S. there to support it. Why do I have to buy a tiny little car just to be environmentally responsible? You can go large and be responsible too.

[CMT]

I thought hybrid tax breaks were some kind of new tax rebate! HA! It's two kinds of tax breaks rolled into one. Sort of like we give it to you and then take it back later.


http://www.ziplink.net/~ctroiane/pics/smiles/rofl.gif

[ppborceb]

Just a quick question regarding the battery replacement for these vehicles...
Does anyone know how long the batteries will last and how much they will the cost?
Everyone seems to be in such a hurry to go out and buy a higher mileage vehicle, but they are starting to increase in price and some dealers are actually charging a premium for these vehicles!
My vehicle gets 15/22 mpg and I can buy a lot of gas for $25,000 by the time I need to buy another vehicle.
I would like to get some feedback from you people out there.

[RC12L4]

Just a quick question regarding the battery replacement for these vehicles...
Does anyone know how long the batteries will last and how much they will the cost?
Everyone seems to be in such a hurry to go out and buy a higher mileage vehicle, but they are starting to increase in price and some dealers are actually charging a premium for these vehicles!
My vehicle gets 15/22 mpg and I can buy a lot of gas for $25,000 by the time I need to buy another vehicle.
I would like to get some feedback from you people out there.

If you're buying a hybrid to invest in the technology that's great. If you're buying a Hybrid to save money you're making a mistake.

[flatrat]

My car is not a hybrid, I cant afford one. It is a "high mileage" car. I would love to go on the internet at the town website and see if my car qualifies.

sigh....I forgot, this is Wallingford...

[Dennis]

Exactly. Or shift the tax burden to those who may not want to buy one at all, being perfectly content with their V8 powered Grand Cherokee...like me. :D

The hybrids I see, are pretty small, and underpowered. A company in California makes a diesel capable of over 400HP and runs on B100 (Pure biodiesel). And its big too with excellent gas mileage, something like 40 MPG. Why can't that be a production vehicle? I'd buy that in a minute. It was featured on a Discovery Channel program with Cal. Gov. Arnold S. there to support it. Why do I have to buy a tiny little car just to be environmentally responsible? You can go large and be responsible too.


So what you are suggesting is to add an excise tax on autos that get an advertised mileage lower than say 30mpg. So those who are content with not getting better mileage would pay more taxes for that vehicle.